SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations)

What Is SIMOPS?

SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations) is the management, coordination, and control of multiple concurrent operations conducted in the same geographic area, facility, or operational space (including airspace). SIMOPS recognises that concurrent operations often interact-sharing resources, creating conflicting movements, generating combined environmental hazards, or creating communication and coordination challenges-and that these interactions pose significant additional risks beyond the individual hazards of each operation alone.

SIMOPS is ubiquitous in modern industrial operations:

• Offshore Oil & Gas: Production operations running continuously while construction, maintenance, and turnarounds occur simultaneously on the same platform.
• Dredging & Maritime: Multiple dredging vessels, maintenance vessels, and port operations occurring simultaneously in the same waterway.
• Construction & Industrial Plants: New construction, equipment installation, maintenance, and operational production occurring concurrently on the same site or facility.
• Airports & Heliports: Simultaneous takeoffs, landings, and helicopter operations in the same airspace.
• Port Operations: Cargo handling, vessel maintenance, refueling, and supply operations occurring simultaneously at the same berth or port.

Without rigorous SIMOPS planning and coordination, concurrent operations generate:

• Resource Conflicts: Equipment (cranes, vessels, helicopters) required by multiple operations simultaneously
• Personnel Conflicts: Shared workspace, personnel congestion, coordination breakdowns
• Environmental Hazards: Combined noise, vibration, air pollution, heat; cumulative exposure exceeding safe levels
• Communication Failures: Multiple operations communicating over same radio frequencies; critical information missed or misconstrued
• Cascading Failures: Failure of one operation affects others (e.g., loss of power affects all concurrent operations relying on that power supply)
• Human Factors: Fatigue, cognitive overload, attention drift as personnel manage multiple concurrent operations or hazards

SIMOPS planning is a formal, multi-disciplinary process that identifies all concurrent operations, maps their interactions and dependencies, and develops control measures to mitigate interaction hazards. SIMOPS is a cornerstone of safety management in high-hazard, high-complexity operations.

Also Known As / Abbreviations: Simultaneous Operations, Concurrent Operations Management, Multi-Operation Coordination, SIMOPS Procedure.

Regulatory Standard / Framework: SIMOPS planning is required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (UK), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (construction context). In offshore, SIMOPS is mandated under NORSOK standards, HSE guidelines, and API industry standards. In aviation/heliport contexts, SIMOPS is regulated by national aviation authorities (CAA in UK, FAA in US). Effectively, any jurisdiction requiring assessment of hazards and coordination of activities recognises SIMOPS as an essential planning tool.

How SIMOPS Planning Works

SIMOPS planning is a systematic process typically led by a SIMOPS Coordinator or SIMOPS Planning Team. Here's the structured approach:

Phase 1: Identification & Mapping of Concurrent Operations

1. Inventory All Concurrent Operations - Identify every activity, task, or operation that will occur during the SIMOPS period (e.g., a 12-month production + maintenance + new construction scenario on an offshore platform). Include:

• Operational activities (production, processes, routine maintenance)
• Major maintenance or turnaround activities (equipment replacement, system shutdown/restart)
• Construction or modification projects
• Inspections, testing, or commissioning activities
• Personnel movements, access, egress
• Supply, logistics, and material handling

2. Timeline Mapping - Create a detailed timeline showing when each operation begins, duration, and completion date. Identify overlapping periods-these are SIMOPS periods requiring coordination.
3. Spatial Mapping - Identify the geographic areas or facilities involved in each operation and visualise overlaps:

• Work areas and exclusion zones
• Equipment placement and movement paths
• Personnel work locations
• Material storage and movement routes
• Utility and service routes

4. Resource Mapping - Identify shared resources that could create conflicts:

• Equipment (cranes, vessels, helicopters, lifts, electrical supplies)
• Personnel (specialist technicians, supervisors, medics)
• Facilities (control rooms, office space, welfare facilities)
• Utilities (power, water, compressed air, communications)

Phase 2: Hazard Identification & Interaction Assessment

5. Individual Operation Hazards - For each concurrent operation, identify its specific hazards (using JSA, HAZID, or similar methods). Example hazards: hot work, confined space entry, working at height, heavy lifting.
6. Interaction Hazards - Identify hazards arising from the interaction of concurrent operations:

• Spatial Conflicts: Two operations requiring the same work area. Example: hot work operation (welding) and confined space entry (requiring ignition source isolation) cannot occur in the same area simultaneously.
• Resource Conflicts: Two operations requiring the same equipment. Example: two construction activities both needing the site crane; must be sequenced or alternative equipment provided.
• Environmental Hazards: Combined exposure exceeding safe levels. Example: routine production operation generating baseline noise at 85 dB + construction activity generating 90 dB = combined exposure 95 dB, exceeding occupational exposure limits.
• Utility Dependencies: Operations depending on utilities that others might interrupt. Example: production operation requires continuous electrical power; maintenance operation requires power shutdown to safely replace switchgear-these cannot occur simultaneously without alternative power supply.
• Communication Conflicts: Multiple operations requiring communication over shared radio network. Example: offshore platform with construction and production both using emergency communication network; emergency call might be missed in congestion.
• Cascade/Domino Hazards: Failure of one operation affecting others. Example: loss of crane availability halts construction; simultaneous production shutdown requests backup crane but none available.
• Personnel Fatigue & Cognitive Overload: Multiple hazards in the same area creating cumulative stress, fatigue, and reduced situational awareness. Example: personnel managing both production and construction operations simultaneously become fatigued and miss hazard cues.

7. Risk Assessment Matrix - For each identified interaction hazard, assess likelihood and consequence:

• Likelihood: Unlikely, Possible, Likely
• Consequence: Minor, Moderate, Major, Catastrophic
• Assign overall risk rating (Low, Medium, High, Critical)

Phase 3: SIMOPS Control Measures & Operational Procedure

8. Operational Sequencing - Where feasible, sequence operations to eliminate concurrent execution. Examples:

• Conduct maintenance activities during planned production shutdowns (sequential rather than simultaneous)
• Complete construction pre-assembly and testing before bringing systems online (phase activities)
• Coordinate personnel shifts to avoid peak congestion periods

9. Spatial Segregation - Physically separate concurrent operations to eliminate interaction hazards:

• Establish exclusion zones around hazardous operations (e.g., hot work)
• Cordons or barriers separating construction and operational areas
• Separate access routes for different operations to prevent congestion
• Dedicated equipment or resources for each operation (e.g., separate cranes)

10. Operational Procedures & Protocols:

• SIMOPS Procedure Document: A detailed document specifying:
• Which operations run concurrently
• Spatial and resource boundaries for each operation
• Communication protocols (dedicated radio channels, regular coordination meetings)
• Escalation procedures if an operation affects another (who to notify, how quickly)
• Shutdown/emergency procedures if concurrent operations become unsafe
• Coordination Meetings: Regular (daily or shift-based) SIMOPS coordination meetings bringing together representatives of all concurrent operations to review:
• Status of each operation
• Any changes to plans that might affect others
• Emerging issues (near-misses, environmental hazards)
• Next shift/period coordination

11. Communication Systems:

• Dedicated radio channels for SIMOPS coordination (separate from individual operation channels)
• Clear communication protocols (who communicates, when, about what)
• Backup communication systems (multiple radio channels, phone tree)
• Regular communication briefings to all personnel about SIMOPS protocols

12. Environmental & Utility Controls:

• Utility isolation procedures: if production requires continuous power but maintenance requires power isolation, install temporary power supply or conduct maintenance during scheduled power outages
• Environmental monitoring: air quality, noise levels, vibration monitored continuously; alert thresholds trigger operational pauses if combined hazards exceed limits
• Shared facility scheduling: access to critical facilities (control rooms, emergency shelters) scheduled/rotated to prevent congestion

13. Supervision & Oversight:

• Designate a SIMOPS Coordinator: Senior person responsible for overall coordination and ensuring SIMOPS procedure is followed
• Assign Operation Leads: For each concurrent operation, a designated lead responsible for coordinating with SIMOPS Coordinator and other operation leads
• SIMOPS Audits: Regular audits (weekly or monthly) by HSSE team verifying that SIMOPS procedures are followed

14. Contingency & Emergency Procedures:

• Define what happens if an operation fails or changes unexpectedly: do other operations pause? Can they continue safely?
• Emergency shutdown procedures: if any operation becomes unsafe, how are all concurrent operations notified and controlled?
• Fallback options: if equipment fails, are backup resources available? Can operations be paused?

Phase 4: Implementation, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

15. SIMOPS Plan Approval - The SIMOPS plan is reviewed and approved by HSSE management, operation leads, and (for major projects) external authority or regulator.
16. Pre-SIMOPS Briefing - Before concurrent operations begin, all personnel involved in all concurrent operations receive training on:

• Other concurrent operations
• Interaction hazards
• Communication protocols
• Their roles and responsibilities
• Escalation and emergency procedures

17. Ongoing SIMOPS Monitoring - During SIMOPS execution:

• Daily coordination meetings
• Regular HSSE inspections focusing on SIMOPS compliance
• Incident/near-miss investigation with focus on SIMOPS factors
• Environmental monitoring (noise, air quality, etc.)
• Communication frequency/quality monitoring

18. Continuous Improvement - SIMOPS procedures should be updated if:

• An incident or near-miss reveals interaction hazards not previously identified
• Operations change (new activities added, timing changes)
• Environmental conditions change (weather, facility conditions)
• Lessons learned from other similar SIMOPS suggest procedure improvements

Why SIMOPS Matters: Operational impact

For HSSE Teams

SIMOPS is a systematic mechanism for managing the combined hazards of concurrent operations. Without formal SIMOPS planning, interaction hazards are often overlooked, individual operation risk assessments don't account for combined exposure, and personnel are unaware of the broader operational context. SIMOPS planning forces identification of interaction hazards and ensures all concurrent operations are coordinated under unified governance. HSSE teams use SIMOPS to verify that all interaction hazards are controlled and that personnel are appropriately trained.

For IT & CIOs

SIMOPS involves managing complex data: detailed timelines of concurrent operations, spatial and resource maps, interaction hazard assessments, operational procedures, communication protocols, personnel roles and training records, and continuous monitoring of compliance. Digital systems support SIMOPS planning (timeline visualisation, interaction mapping), procedure documentation and distribution, personnel training tracking, communication system integration (logging radio traffic, coordination meeting records), and incident investigation integration (linking incidents to SIMOPS factors).

Industry context

According to offshore safety regulatory bodies (HSE UK, DNV) and major incident investigations, interaction hazards account for approximately 18-25% of major incidents in multi-operation environments (offshore platforms, dredging operations, large construction sites). The Deepwater Horizon incident (2010) is a notable example where concurrent operations (production and well maintenance) and communication failures between operations contributed to the accident. Research from the American Society of Offshore Mechanics (2021) found that facilities with documented, formally managed SIMOPS procedures experience 50-65% fewer multi-operation interaction incidents than facilities with informal or undocumented SIMOPS management.

Implementing & Monitoring SIMOPS: From Manual to Digital

Traditionally, SIMOPS planning has been conducted using manual timelines (Gantt charts on paper or Excel), verbal communication protocols, and informal coordination meetings. For small, short-duration concurrent operations, this approach may be manageable. However, for complex, long-duration SIMOPS (e.g., multi-year platform upgrades during continuous production), manual management becomes inadequate:

• Complexity Management: Tracking dozens of concurrent operations, their timelines, interactions, and dependencies manually is error-prone; gaps and conflicts are missed.
• Communication: Verbal protocols are inconsistently understood; written procedures exist but are not routinely accessed or updated.
• Monitoring: Without systematic tracking, it's difficult to verify that all operations are following SIMOPS procedures.
• Continuous Improvement: Incident investigations often overlook SIMOPS factors; lessons learned are not systematically incorporated into procedures.

Forward-thinking organisations are transitioning to digital SIMOPS management platforms that:

• Integrated Timeline & Dependency Mapping - Digital systems visualise all concurrent operations, timelines, spatial overlaps, and resource dependencies. Conflicts are automatically flagged.
• Interaction Hazard Assessments - Systems prompt teams through structured hazard identification for interaction scenarios, ensuring comprehensive assessment.
• Automated Procedure Generation - SIMOPS procedures (communication protocols, escalation procedures, emergency protocols) are generated from structured data, ensuring consistency and completeness.
• Personnel Training & Certification Tracking - Systems track which personnel have received SIMOPS training, ensuring only trained personnel participate in concurrent operations.
• Compliance Monitoring - Integration with daily coordination meetings, incident reporting, and HSSE inspection systems enables real-time monitoring of SIMOPS compliance.
• Continuous Improvement Integration - Incidents are automatically analysed for SIMOPS factors; lessons learned are fed back into future SIMOPS planning.

For organisations managing ongoing SIMOPS (e.g., production + maintenance + construction on the same facility), digital platforms transform SIMOPS from a static planning document into a living, continuously monitored and improved operational management system.

Best Practices for SIMOPS

• Designate a Dedicated SIMOPS Coordinator: SIMOPS coordination should not be an add-on responsibility for an operations manager already managing other duties. Designate a dedicated SIMOPS Coordinator with authority to coordinate across all concurrent operations, resolve conflicts, and communicate directly with senior management. This individual should have no vested interest in accelerating any particular operation (independence is important for neutrality).
• Conduct SIMOPS Planning Early, Before Operations Begin: SIMOPS procedures should be drafted and approved well before concurrent operations commence (ideally 4-8 weeks). Attempting to develop SIMOPS procedures once operations are already underway is reactive and ineffective. Early planning allows time for procedure testing, personnel training, and equipment/resource arrangement.
• Involve All Operation Leads in SIMOPS Planning: SIMOPS procedures are only effective if all concurrent operations understand and commit to them. Involve representatives from each operation (construction lead, production supervisor, maintenance engineer) in SIMOPS planning. This ensures procedures are practical, ensures operation leads understand their coordination roles, and builds psychological ownership.
• Regular Coordination Meetings with Clear Escalation: Schedule daily (or shift-based) SIMOPS coordination meetings bringing together all operation leads and HSSE representatives. Meetings should review status, identify emerging issues, and resolve conflicts before they become incidents. Establish clear escalation: if an operation cannot comply with SIMOPS procedures or a hazard cannot be mitigated, escalate immediately to senior management for resolution (do not proceed with operations at risk).